Anchor - M. Mabie Page 0,17
to draw for me.”
For as far back as I could remember I hung on his every word. Now his words hung themselves in me like priceless paintings on the inside of my chest.
“Don’t you know how to knock?”
“Don’t you know how to lock your door?” he retorted lightheartedly.
His hair was a little shorter in the back, but still long enough on top to fall perfectly around his face as he looked down at his boots, grinning like the devil. He loved playing with me.
“Is that what you came over here to tell me?”
“No. I came over here to tell you I’m moving to town.”
“This town is pretty big. I’m sure we can find our own space.” I considered throwing some of the sharp words he’d wounded me with time after time, but I didn’t have it in me. He’d know I was just being a bitch. Or childish. Or delusional. Because they’d never be true out of my mouth.
He cocked his head to the side and gave me a look that begged for me to drop the act.
So I mocked him and gave it back.
The distance between us closed; my turncoat body reacted to him.
“Cut the shit, kid. You know why I moved here.”
Did I?
Casey told me he was getting a job at the brewery, and Troy probably needed a new crop of women to fuck. My best estimates were that he’d been with most of the available ladies in San Francisco, and probably a few more who weren’t.
“Troy, I’m here going to school. I’m in college. I’m experimenting and living my life. Just like you told me to do.” Some of that was true. I’d been with a few guys, but no one who made any lasting impressions. “Welcome to Seattle. But I’m not the little sweet, forbidden kid-sister anymore. Not here.”
“That’s what I was counting on.”
Then his brazen hand was in the nape of my hair, my pounding chest was crushed against his and our lips went to war.
Monday, June 14, 2010
CASEY TASTED LIKE THE only thing that would ever satisfy me completely. I savored everything about that kiss.
Earlier I’d spoken to Dr. Rex, and told her pretty much everything over the phone in a rush to confide in someone, in the event that the police were faster than Reggie thought they’d be. She’d know the story. She’d know the truth before I had a real reason to lie about it. Not that I was lying anymore, but if Grant tried to twist it around, I’d have someone on our side. Someone credible.
She’d said, just like I thought she would, “Tell Casey. Blake, you’ll feel better. Tell him everything. There’s no need to worry, sweetheart.” I agreed. What Reggie told me knocked me off balance a little. I’d figured Grant would try something, do something, continue to cause trouble. But did he really have a leg to stand on?
The thought of the attack going to trial made my stomach queasy as I cooked that afternoon. But that’s one of the things I loved most about cooking. I could do it while my mind was somewhere else. I could cut and chop my frustrations out. So I did.
We’d have a nice dinner. Spend time with Troy and Audrey, if she wasn’t too busy. Then when everything settled down for the night, I’d talk to him.
Even though we weren’t miles apart anymore, and we could call or text at any time of the day we pleased, I noticed it was at night when we still communicated best. When everything was quiet. When everything was set-aside until the next day. The same as we’d done by phone—where we talked about things we’d done when we were young, or what we’d done that day—those precious minutes were ours alone.
That’s when I’d tell him about that night.
As he kissed me, both of us barefoot in the grass, I knew it was time to do it. I wasn’t going to let Grant, or my own fear, ruin anything I was blessed enough to have now. And if I’d learned anything, it was that the truth hurt, but it healed you faster.
“I love you back, honeybee. So you’re feeling worn out?” he asked as he moved my hair behind my ears.
“A little.”
His eyebrows rose, challenging me to tell the whole truth. When he made that face, and his forehead wrinkled, he wasn’t one to toy with. The look said both: out with it, and I’ll get it out of you anyway.
“Okay, I’m beat. My back